Ramblings

It’s been a while, my friends. I was sick the last week of school, so I spent a lot of time laying on the couch and not getting anything accomplished. I’m so thankful to have two weeks off for Christmas break! I finally felt normal-ish on Saturday and went to spinning, got a haircut, and went to a Christmas party with tamales. I love that that’s a thing here.

I also watched The Giver. I remember loving the book when I had to read it (in middle school or high?). The movie is enjoyable and leaves you thinking. I’ve been meaning to see Gone Girl and Wild too. Are they good?

Sunday night, Matt and I went to see the musical Once! We grabbed an early dinner at the famous Tei-an. I enjoyed the restaurant, but I think I made poor choices, because I wasn’t that into anything we ordered. I must go back and get the ramen!

Our seats for the musical were really high up, but we moved at intermission because the theater was so empty. The actors play all of their own instruments on stage, which was so neat. The music was powerful and I loved the simplicity of the set. It was funny too.

Today was spent packing – we are heading wayyy south for the break and I’m pumped for warm weather. I stocked up on novels and boughtThe Art of French EatingandMe Before You.

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and a happy start to the new year!

I’m sorry I’ve been MIA for a bit! I’ve been crazy busy at work, and my moments in the evenings have been filled with cooking, packing lunches, dinners with friends, attending speaker series, doing housework, and going to bed early to get up for the gym. Every week, I think things might calm down, and they never do! I’m loving it so much though because my days are filled with helping kids, supporting teachers, and trying to figure out the big picture of my new role. I’m never bored, which means my days are flying by. I can’t believe it’s almost time for Thanksgiving break, and I cannot wait to see family and rest for a few days.

The weather has cooled off here (relatively speaking), and Matt and I have been enjoying drinking fall beers and getting cozy in new restaurants. We tried a restaurant called Gemma from a couple of Napa transplants, and had a lovely dinner at the bar. I’ve never had fried olives before.

I haven’t been too creative in the kitchen during the week because I’ve been reverting to quick and easy favorites. Fridays and Sundays have been my cooking days, and I made this delicious butternut squash pizza last week.

What’s new in the blog world? Does anyone have any awesome fall recipes?

1. I go through a chip and hummus combo every few weeks – right now it’s these pumpkin crisps with jalapeño and cilantro Hope Hummus.

2. I got a new iPod after my nano from college stopped keeping a charge. It was a tiny one that couldn’t hold all of my songs at once. I put a bunch of old country music on the new one and I’m enjoying driving around with the windows, down pretending I’m in high school.

3. Kath introduced me to this foundation a few months again and I just love it. It took a while for me to get used to it because I think my skin was addicted to Clinique, but now I’m really happy with the color and moisture.

4. This weather. I know some people like to get right to boots and coats, but 70’s are just fine with me. Plus, when temps have been in the 100’s forever and ever, 70 feels pretty darn cold.

5. The stuffed squash at Origin Kitchen – this may been the best vegetarian dish I’ve ever had. Matt and I were both in love with it when we had it last Saturday night. Acorn squash, crispy kale, wheatberries, pomegranate, and a walnut syrup….

6. Entering my 30th year. My 29th is this weekend, and I’m in a good place at this age. There have been so many transitions in my 20’s – grad school, moving for Matt to go to grad school, getting married, moving for Matt’s career opportunity, and a long, frustrating job search. But for the first time in a while, I’m just living my life, going to work every day, and not gearing up for any major change (knock on wood:))